EDDIE Howe praised the “hunger” of Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson following his recent return to club management.

The Cherries boss is tomorrow set to lock horns with the former England manager when their sides do battle at Selhurst Park (3pm).

Howe, the youngest boss in the top flight, will pit his wits against the oldest in Hodgson, who took charge of the Eagles in September.

With 30 years of age between the pair, Howe insisted that 70-year-old Hodgson’s longevity in the game should be applauded.

He told the Daily Echo: “I have got a lot of time for Roy. He has had an outstanding career and I take my hat off to him.

“Full compliments for the fact he still has the drive, the hunger and everything you need to be a Premier League manager. He wanted to go back in and do it again.

“That goes to show how powerful the bug of management is for all of us, in that he wanted to take on another challenge.

“When you look at his career and the history of what he has achieved in the game, I don’t think he had anything to prove to anybody.

“That’s why I compliment him on the fact he still wants to do it and he is doing a very good job at Crystal Palace.”

Hodgson began his managerial career in 1976 with Swedish outfit Halmstad – one year before Howe was born.

With seven Swedish titles to his name – five coming at the helm of Malmo – he went on to manage the likes of Inter Milan, Grasshoppers and the Finland national team.

Fulham then provided another challenge for Hodgson, before spells at Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.

The Croydon-born boss was appointed England manager in May 2012 and managed the Three Lions at three major tournaments.

Howe added: “I have had a few dealings with Roy. I remember going back to playing Fulham in pre-season friendlies, we built a relationship from that point and I found him to be brilliant.

“He was brilliant with the young managers – very supportive, knowledgeable and always there to help.

“He moved on and got his chance with England and that scenario. I still had a couple of dealings with him then.

“There is no escape when you are leading England but I thought he did it very well and handled himself superbly.“

Asked whether he felt he could manage for another three decades, Howe replied: “I can’t even imagine next season, let alone 30 years down the line!

“It is incredible when you consider the longevity and I say the same about Arsene Wenger.

“When they continue to do it year in, year out, it takes a lot out of you emotionally, physically and mentally.”

Cherries have beaten Palace once in four top-flight meetings.